Spring is slowly approaching – and for many people the time of major house cleaning begins. But conventional cleaning products can have a negative impact on the environment and health. But there are some tips and tricks that can help you identify and use less harmful products. In some cases, conventional cleaners can even be completely replaced with simple home remedies.
If you want to pay attention to environmental and health compatibility when cleaning, you should especially take a look at the ingredients of the cleaning products used. Although ingredients such as surfactants, acids or bases are necessary for the cleaning to work, fragrances, colors or preservatives are often also used. These often do not contribute to cleanliness, but can be potentially harmful.
You should pay attention to these seals
But how do you find products that clean effectively without causing unnecessary strain? Simply using “organic” products is not enough: “There is no official definition for organic cleaners. Therefore, use cleaning products that have certified seals,” explains Luise Körner, chemistry expert at the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND).
For example, products with the “Blue Angel” do not contain any fragrances or preservatives that are particularly harmful to the environment or health, and their surfactants come predominantly from plant sources. The EU ecolabel “EU Ecolabel” limits the use of certain chemicals and requires an overall better environmental balance. The Ecocert seal sets particularly strict criteria: the majority of the ingredients must be of natural origin. For people with sensitive airways or allergies, the seal of the German Allergy and Asthma Association can also provide guidance.
Correct application also counts
The type of application also plays an important role. Cleaning agents should be used as sparingly as possible. If you put them directly on a damp cloth instead of spraying them, you also reduce the amount of aerosols inhaled. This benefits your health. Structured cleaning cloths also remove dirt mechanically and therefore often more effectively, thus further reducing consumption. Textiles made from natural fibers save fossil resources and sometimes avoid problematic coatings such as PFAS, which are supposed to make some materials dirt-repellent.
The product form also influences the environmental impact of a cleaning product. For example, solid cleaners such as powders or tabs often contain fewer preservatives than liquid versions. At the same time, due to their lower weight and volume, they cause fewer emissions during transport than liquid cleaners.
Home remedies instead of special cleaners
However, it is even more sustainable to avoid cleaning products completely. “You can even forego conventional cleaning products entirely and use simple home remedies that have served your grandparents well,” says Körner. For example, limescale deposits in the bathroom or kitchen can be easily removed with vinegar or citric acid. For the shower cubicle, you can apply a mixture of vinegar and citric acid, leave it to work briefly and then rinse with warm water. A little salt increases the mechanical cleaning effect and helps to dissolve stubborn residues.
Even heavily soiled windows can be cleaned without special cleaners. A dash of vinegar or lemon juice in the cleaning water acts as a natural limescale remover. A soft cloth, such as a pair of discarded nylon tights, can remove even stubborn dirt without leaving scratches. Brewed black tea also helps against fatty residues. The tannins it contains remove oil and nicotine and also act as a lasting protective shield against new contamination. Yellowed curtains can be refreshed without using aggressive bleach. A bath in warm salt water is often enough: simply let the fabric soak for a few hours and then wash as normal.
Home remedies can even help with clogged drains. The blockages can often be solved with hot water; for heavier deposits, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help loosen the dirt and reduce odors. Baking soda is also good for freshening up dirty carpets: it binds odors and can remove light dirt, while pressure points in the pile are best repaired with steam.
Source: Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany eV (BUND)